can't find leak

[tiberiusjones]

I finally got my sump and filters and pump going.. Filled up my tank. I discovered a small leak that is slowly filling up the bottom chamber of my acrylic stand. It is a closed system with a access hatch in the front and small opening in the back for cords, etc. The lip from the bottom to the opening is about 5 inches high. I checked the bulkeads, tightened.. checked all the junctions and clamps, tightened those too. No water or wetness when I feel them with my fingers. I cant find where the leak is. Any suggestions? I have two 1 inch builkheads and 2 3/4 bulkhead returns each going to corner overflows. No matter how many times I try, I cant seem to pinpoint where the leak is coming from.
This is an all acrylic tenecor tank.

 

[imsqueak]

tissue paper and rubber bands...

 

[tiberiusjones]

brilliant

brilliant

brilliant i will try that thank you!

 

[imsqueak]

:beer:

I dont know if your kidding or not but here's to the thought of simplicity works best :beer:

 

[tiberiusjones]

well

well

i tried just holding the tissue up to the joints and fittings , nope bone dry, i wonder if its the trickle filter, its a hang on remora aqua c
or the wet dry filter sump box itself, brand new though. just put it in yesterdya and its well made

 

[tiberiusjones]

id hate to drain it...

id hate to drain it...

hey you live in powell, im just down the road from you, im in heiskell

 

[HelloMyNameIs__]

I had a cpr skimmer start leaking and didnt know it for a while. One of the gaskets didnt fit right. It was 2 months old.

 

[tiberiusjones]

Hey Imsqueak how many beers would it take for you to come on out and help a feller reefer with this problemo?

 

[ct_vol]

Beer??? :beer:

 

[tiberiusjones]

name your brand!

name your brand!

12 pack 6 pack
?

 

[tiberiusjones]

im desperate, i dont wanna have to take this thing down... fully loaded up with lsaltwater...

 

[imsqueak]

I'm in month end mode (working every night) plus I'm setting up my new tank myself. Lets see if we can walk you through it and if not I'll come by after work Thursday. BTW, the nature of leaks being slow means me looking at it for a couple minutes probably wouldnt help.

First, remove the remora and see if you still have the leak. Give it time, it wont hurt to not skim for a day or two.

Second, dry the stand out and lay paper around the inside of the stand.

Third, wrap your fittings with tissue paper and leave it there until leak is resolved.

Where paper or tissue gets wet will obviously point to the problem.

You got PM.

 

[ct_vol]

Yeah, where you at on that Red Sea Max anyhow??? That thing is awesome... I'm wicked jealous...

 

[tiberiusjones]

may have found problem

may have found problem

Hey Don
I called the Aquarium and they said to try reseating and tightening the adapter going from the sump to my pump. They said sometimes it leaves the store loose and if theres a hairline leak via capillary action you wont feel the water, so Im going to give it a try. Hope all is well with you and your new tank. What did you get?

 

[tiberiusjones]

nah it didnt make any difference thing is stil leaking but it has to be from the sump, filter box

 

[stevensmd]

for that it's worth..most (all) of my small leaks were fixed with adding plumbers tape... Try adding the tape to every male threads you have. good luck.
dave

 

[tiberiusjones]

thats not it

thats not it

No leaKS at any fittings, its somewhere between the sump and the pump has to be

 

[stevensmd]

my little giant (return pump from sump) has adapter fittings also, it leaked when I first started..also fixed it by redoing the tape. just a thought.
dave

 

[tiberiusjones]

i got mine wet it wont start, it trips the gfci breaker got any ideas?

 

[awcurl]

I've been reading your thread and can sympathize with your problem. Don has given you some excellent advice on using the paper trick, but I'm curious if you have tried it? IMO if you had, you have found the leak by now. If you have tried it, them let us know so we can come up with some other suggestions.:bum: